Berberine and its derivants had anti-cancer activities. in vitro huang lian could inhibit the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in S180 cells. Berberine and g-berbroliolin had certain inhibitory effect on ehrlich carcinoma and lymphoma NK/LY.

Berberine is an alkaloid occurring in the plant genera Berberis and Coptis. Although berberine had been demonstrated to have antineoplastic function by inhibiting DNA-synthesis in activated lymphocytes, there is no available information to address berberine affects on human leukemia cell N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and 2-aminofluorene (AF)-DNA adduct formation. Thus, berberine was tested for inhibition of arylamine NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells. The NAT activity was measured by a high performance liquid chromatography assaying for the amounts of N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF) and N-acetyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (N-Ac-PABA) and the remaining AF and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct formation in human leukemia cells were inhibited by berberine in a dose-dependent manner, i.e. the higher the concentration of berberine, the higher the inhibition of NAT activity and AF-DNA adduct. The data also indicate that berberine decreased the apparent values of Km and Vmax from human leukemia cells in both cytosol and intact cells.

The enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is abundantly expressed in colon cancer cells and plays a key role in colon tumorigenesis. Compounds inhibiting COX-2 transcriptional activity have therefore potentially a chemopreventive property against colon tumor formation. An assay method for estimating COX-2 transcriptional activity in human colon cancer cells was established using a beta-galactosidase reporter gene system, and examination was made of various medicinal herbs and their ingredients for an inhibitory effect on COX-2 transcriptional activity. We found that berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid present in plants of the genera Berberis and Coptis, effectively inhibits COX-2 transcriptional activity in colon cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 0.3 microM. The present findings may further explain the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor promoting effects of berberine.

OBJECTIVE: To find new photosensitizers from Chinese medicinal herbs for cancer photodynamic therapy. METHODS: The extracts of thirteen herbs were examined: (1) Their fluorescence excitation wave lengths and emission wave lengths; (2) Their fluorescence intensity in living cells and (3) Their distribution and localization in the living cells and the fixed cells both stained in each extract, and responses of cell fluorescence intensity to pH value change. Furthermore, the herb's anticancer photosensitive efficiencies were studied by using BCG-823 human stomach cancer cells. RESULTS: Cortex phellodendri and Rhizoma Coptidis, were found with optimal fluorescence properties as photosensitizers in this test. The latter could remarkably reduce the cell metabolic viability, proliferative ability and increased the cell mortality when the cells exposed to both drugs and luminance but not only to drug. CONCLUSIONS: The potential of Chinese medicine as new kind of photosensitizer and its possibility for use in anticancer photodynamic therapy are existed.

The therapeutic effect of huang lian on bacillary dysentery was quite certain. Usually it could be cured within 5~7 days. The oral dosage: small dosage was 2~3g, large dosage was 8~12g, averagely 6g daily.

Berberine 0.4g, qid, 4~6 weeks as a course of treatment. The method was used to treat peptic ulcer and the curative rate was 70%. During the treatment, only mild constipation and bitter taste were reported in very few patients.

Arrhythmia

Berberine 0.3~0.5g, 3~4 times daily, 2 weeks as a course of treatment. The method was used to treat 58 cases of premature beat, and 33 were markedly effective, 14 effective.

Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis

Berberien at large dosages were used to treat 40 cases of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, and 24 were cured. The average course of treatment was 7.4 days.

Trichomonal vaginitis

Cotton pessary soaked with 20% huang lian infusion was used to treat 49 cases of trichomonal vaginitis, and the curative rate was over 95%.